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PERFORMERS!CALL!FOR!ENTRY!
2015!JURIED!SIGNED!MUSIC!PERFORMANCES!
!
Defty!Awards!of!Excellence!in!the!Arts!2015!
Signed!Music!Youth!Awards!
Sponsored!by!
!
!
Signed!Music!Exhibit!Opening!!
at!the!DEAF!CULTURE!CENTRE!May!29,!2015!
!Defty!Awards!September!19,!2015!
!
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Winning!Canadian!Signed!Music!performances!will$be$exhibited$at$the!DEAF!CULTURE!CENTRE!!
Rhythms'of'the'Heart:''Signed'Music'Exhibit'from!September!19,!2015!to!December!1,!2015!'
Winning!Defty!Theatre!performances!receive!a!Defty!award!and!cash!prize!(between!$300!U$1,000)!
!
Eligibility!Criteria!
•$$ Open$to$all$Canadian$Deaf$performers.$
•$$ Applicants$must$be$16$years$of$age$to$34$years$of$age$(inclusive).$
•$$ The$theme$is$open.$
•$$ Performance$must$be$original$and$created$by$the$performer.$$Experimentation$is$strongly$encouraged.$$$$
•$$ Signed$Music$performance$can$be$created$with$hand$and$body$movement$and$facial$expression$but$not$lyrics$
(ASL/LSQ)$or$created$with$ASL/$LSQ$lyrics.$$
•$$ Signed$Music$performance$may$incorporate$cinematography$techniques$as$part$of$the$artistic$expression.$$
•$$ Signed$Music$Categories:$$
1. An$original$performance$created$with$with$hand$and$body$movement$and$facial$expression$but$not$lyrics$(ASL/LSQ)$or$
created$with$lyrics$(ASL/LSQ).$Signed$music$performance$may$be$experimental$in$nature.$(Auditory$music$may$be$
added$after$the$signed$music$creation$but$is$not$necessary.$Auditory$music$added$would$be$based$on$the$visual$signed$
music$performance).$
2. An$original$performance$created$without$lyrics$(no$signs)$or$created$with$lyrics$(ASL/LSQ).$Signed$music$performance$is$
inspired$by$auditory$music$made$visual.$
3. Entries$will$be$juried$on$digital$media$and$must$be$submitted$on$USB$and$mailed.$No$email$submissions$please.$$$$$$$$$$$$
•$$ A$maximum$of$one$(1)$performance$in$each$category$may$be$submitted$by$each$performer$for$consideration$by$the$
jury.$$
•$$ Performance$must$be$between$one$(1)$minute$and$no$more$than$five$(5)$minutes.$ $
$
$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$
•$$ A$maximum$of$two$(2)$performances$may$be$submitted$by$each$performer$for$consideration$by$the$jury.$
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Submission!Checklist$
☐$$$ Completed$Entry$Form$(attached)$as$a$paper$document$
☐ USB$containing$a$digital$file$of$the$performance$in$.MOV$or$MGEG4$format.$File$must$be$labeled$with$the$artist’s$
last$name$and$performance$title.$(LAST$NAME.$Name$of$performance).$No$email$submissions$please.$
☐ Performing$artist$Biography$(maximum$150$words)$in$word$document$on$the$USB$
☐$$$$Performing$artist$Statement$(maximum$150$words)$in$word$document$on$the$USB$
The$artist$statement$explains$how$the$performance$is$an$expression$of$signed$music.$Performing$artist$statement$
includes$the$title,$description$of$the$performance$and$comments$to$assist$in$analysis$from$the$performer’s$
perspective.$The$artist$statement$can$be$bulleted$or$in$narrative$form.$
☐ Performing$artist$photograph$(300$dpi)$on$the$USB$
!
Submission!Deadline!
Entries$including$support$material$must$be$submitted$in$full,$postmarked$(stamped)$no!later!than!Monday!June!15,!2015.!
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Please!submit!mailed!entries!to:!
Attention:$Defty!Awards$2015!
DEAF$CULTURE$CENTRE$
Distillery$Historic$District$
34$Distillery$Lane$
Toronto,$Ontario$M5A$3C4$
$
Selected!Performances/Awards!
•$$ All$decisions$made$by$the$jury$panel$are$final.$
•$$ The$jurors$reserve$the$right$to$disqualify$any$original$work$misrepresented$by$the$digital$files.$
•$$ No$entry$may$be$withdrawn$from$the$exhibition$until$after$closing.$
•$$ The$DEAF$CULTURE$CENTRE$has$permission$to$display$and/or$share$images$or$samples$of$accepted$work$for$publicity,$
educational$and$research$purposes.$
•$$ Entries$in$each$category$will$be$judged$for$best$performance.$$
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Adjudication!
Submitted$works$will$be$juried$by$a$panel$of$professionals$who$are$engaged$in$the$performing$arts.$
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Notification!
Artists$meeting$the$submission$deadline$will$be$notified$of$acceptance$by$July$15,$2015.$
$
Shipping!and!handling!
Postage$is$the$responsibility$of$the$artist.$
$
Shipping!and!handling!
Postage$is$the$responsibility$of$the$artist.$
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Insurance!
•$$ Artists$are$responsible$for$maintaining$a$copy$of$their$performance$to$ensure$backup$in$case$of$USB$loss$or$damage$
during$transit.$The$DEAF$CULTURE$CENTRE$assumes$responsibility$for$insurance$of$the$performance$while$on$display$at$
the$Centre.$
•$$ Every$reasonable$precaution$will$be$employed$by$the$DEAF$CULTURE$CENTRE$to$handle$digital$material$according$to$
standard$professional$public$exhibition$practice.$
$
The$ DEAF$ CULTURE$ CENTRE$ acknowledges$ the$ generous$ support$ of$ TD$ Bank$ Group$ for$ the$ Defty! Youth! Awards! for!
Excellence! in! Theatre! and$ for$ sponsoring$ the$ Canadian! Deaf! Theatre! Exhibit$ in$ 2014.$ The$ Defty! Youth! Awards! for!
Excellence$in$Theatre$promotes$and$celebrates$emerging$Deaf$performing$artists$and$showcases$the$works$of$talented$
Canadian$Deaf$performers.$
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The$DEAF$CULTURE$CENTRE$acknowledges$the$generous$support$of$TD$Bank$Group$for$the$Defty!Awards!of!Excellence!
in! the! Arts:! Signed! Music$ Youth! Awards$ and$ for$ sponsoring$ the$ Signed! Music! Exhibit$ in$ 2015.$ The! Defty! Awards! of!
Excellence!in!the!Arts$promotes$and$celebrates$emerging$Deaf$performing$artists$and$showcases$the$works$of$talented$
Canadian$ Deaf$ performers.$ The$ Canadian$ Cultural$ Society$ of$ the$ Deaf$ (CCSD)$ established$ the$ Defty! Awards$ in$ the$
1980’s$to$promote$and$recognize$the$arts$of$fellow$Canadian$Deaf$performers.$The$DEAF$CULTURE$CENTRE$under$the$
auspices$ of$ CCSD$ is$ delighted$ to$ continue$ this$ tradition.$ The$ TD$ Bank$ Group$ is$ the$ proud$ presenting$ sponsor$ of$ the$
Defty!Awards!of!Excellence!in!the!Arts.!
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The!Defty!Awards!of!Excellence!in!the!Arts:!!
Signed!Music!Youth!Awards!
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ENTRY FORM
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Submission!Deadline:!Monday!June!15,!2015.!
!
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Please$complete$all$sections$and$sign$the$submission$form$below.$Submit$your$application$along$with$all$
th
the$required$support$material.$Entries$must$be$submitted$in$full$(date$stamped)$by$the$June$15 $deadline$
to$ be$ considered. One$ (1)$ entry$ form$ required$ for$ each$ submission.$ Two$ (2)$ submissions$ maximum$
permitted$per$performer$(one$[1]$in$each$category).$$
!
$
Performer’s$Name$_______________________________________________________________________$
Address$___________________________________________$City$________________________________$
Province$_______________________________________$Postal$Code$_____________________________$
Cell$Text$__________________________________$Email$_______________________________________$
Are$you$between$the$ages$16$d$34?$
☐$Yes$ ☐$No$
$
Entry!!
Title:$$
_______________________________________________________________________________$
Category$(select$one$genre$only):$
☐$
Original$Signed$Music$Performance$$
☐$
Original$Signed$Music$Performance$(Inspired$by$existing$auditory$music$made$visual)$
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Duration$(minimum$1$minute;$maximum$5$minutes):$$$_____$minutes$$ _____$seconds$
Theme:$______________________$
Language:$$$
☐$ASL$$ ☐$LSQ$$ $☐$Not$applicable$
Will$this$be$the$first$public$showing$of$your$performance?$$□$Yes$
$□$No$
If$no,$please$specify$previous$events$at$which$the$performance$was$featured:$$ $
Prizes$for$this$performance$if$any$won$previously:$$
$
$
$$$$$$$
Producer’s/$Director’s$Name$$(if$applicable)$
______________________________________________________________________________________$
Address$___________________________________________$City$________________________________$
Province__________________________________$$Postal$Code$__________________________________$
Cell$Text$____________________________$$$Email$$____________________________________________$
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$
DECLARATION$
The$Signed$Music$performance$listed$has$been$submitted$for$consideration$with$the$knowledge$and$
consent$of$the$producer/$director$listed$above.$
□$Yes$$ $
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$
□$No$
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I$agree$that,$if$my$performance$is$not$selected$for$an$award,$my$performance$may$still$be$exhibited$as$
part$of$the$Signed$Music$exhibit$at$the$discretion$of$the$DEAF$CULTURE$CENTRE.$
□$Yes$$ $
$
$
$
□$No$
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NOTE:$If$the$boxes$are$left$unchecked,$the$DEAF$CULTURE$CENTRE$assumes$this$to$be$the$equivalent$of$
checking$the$“Yes”$box.$
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Signature$__________________________________________$Date$___________________$
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I$have$read$the$conditions$of$entry$and$agree$to$submit$my$performance$under$these$terms.$
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Signature$__________________________________________$Date$___________________$
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Additional!Rules!and!Regulations!
!
1.
2.
3.
4.
Date(s)$of$the$performance$viewing$shall$be$at$the$discretion$of$the$organizers.$
USB’s$will$not$be$returned.$After$the$selection$process,$USB’s$of$submissions$that$were$not$
selected$ will$ be$ destroyed,$ unless$ submitter$ agrees$ that$ they$ may$ be$ exhibited$ as$ part$ of$
the$Signed$Music$Exhibit.$
AntidPiracy$ precautions$ and$ releases:$ The$ DEAF$ CULTURE$ CENTRE$ will$ take$ all$ reasonable$
antidpiracy$ precautions.$ Access$ to$ performances$ on$ video$ is$ limited$ to$ our$ Defty! jury$
submission$ reviewers,$ program$ promotion$ and$ individuals$ responsible$ for$ featuring$ your$
submission$for$the$Defty!Signed$Music$Awards$Program$and$for$the$Signed$Music$exhibit.$No$
duplication$ or$ loaning$ is$ permitted$ except$ as$ necessary$ to$ judge$ and$ exhibit$ your$
performance$ through$ the$ DEAF$ CULTURE$ CENTRE$ or$ to$ promote$ it.$ By$ submitting$ your$
material$to$us,$you$hereby$release$the$DEAF$CULTURE$CENTRE$and$its$associated$program$
consultant’s$from$any$and$all$risk$and$liability$in$the$event$of$theft,$or$breach$of$copyright$of$
your$materials.$If$you$wish$to$discuss$security$measures,$please$advise$us$separately$by$ed
[email protected].$
Anyone$with$a$videodcamera$or$taking$pictures$while$the$performance$is$being$featured$will$
have$their$equipment$confiscated$and$individuals$involved$may$face$legal$action.$
Travel$or$accommodation$expenses$for$award$recipients$cannot$be$provided$for$performers.$
5.
!
!
The$goal$of$the$Defty!Awards!of!Excellence!in!the!Arts$2015$is$to$develop$an$artistic$forum$for$Deaf$artists$
to$explore$and$create$new$artistic$content$in$Signed$Music:$An$Emerging$Interdperformative$Art.$The$Defty!
Awards$encourage$experimentation$with$new$artistic$forms.$
Signed!Music!Description$
!
Signed$Music$is$an$interdperformance$art$that$arises$from$within$the$Deaf$community$and$is$distinct$from$
Signed$Language$Literature$such$as$ASL$poetry$and$is$distinct$from$signed$songs$originating$from$spoken$
language.$$Signed$Music$may$incorporate$ASL$literary$poetic$features$and$incorporates$elements$of$music$
expressed$as$a$visual$artistic$form.$$
$
ASL$poetry$was$first$described$by$Valli$(1990)$through$the$prism$of$a$linguistic$framework.$Signed$songs$as$
described$ by$ Bahan$ (2006),$ have$ been$ categorized$ into$ two$ classes,$ percussion$ singing$ (Deaf$ rap)$ and$
translated$songs$from$spoken$language.$Signed$Music$is$distinct$from$these$two$performance$practices.$
$
Signed$ Music$ has$ developed$ from$ a$ variety$ of$ performance$ practices.$ It$ is$ interdperformative,$ drawing$
from$conventional$dance,$poetry$and$musical$practices.$It$is$a$visual$performance$practice$with$structured$
hand$and$facial$movements$with$its$own$unique$traits.$Its$linguistic$and$cultural$foundation$is$developed$
through$shared$Deaf$experience$and$falls$along$a$continuum$but$distinct$from$signed$language$poetry$and$
dance.$ It$ is$ related$ to$ culturally$ expressive$ art$ practices$ that$ employ$ poetic$ and$ other$ musical$
performance$practice$with$the$same$underlying$human$foundation$of$literary$and$musical$expression.$$ASL$
performers$ are$ increasingly$ featuring$ exploration$ of$ this$ interdperformative$ art$ and$ researchers$ are$
beginning$to$characterize$these$performance$works$from$the$prism$of$visual$musical$elements$of$rhythm,$
paralinguistic$pitch,$melody,$and$lyrics$as$well$as$literary$analysis$and$dance$methodology.$$
Adapted$by$A.$Small$from$J.H.$Cripps,$E.$Rosenblum$and$A.$Small$
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$Deaf$Studies$Encyclopedia,$In$Press$
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1.
Signed!Music!Categories!and!Examples!
$
An$original$performance$created$without$ASL/LSQ$lyrics$or$created$with$lyrics$(ASL/LSQ).$Auditory$music$
may$ be$ added$ after$ the$ signed$ music$ creation$ but$ is$ not$ necessary$ and$ is$ based$ on$ the$ visual$ signed$
music$ performance)$ (Example:$ Experimental! Clip$ [Pamela$ Witcher])$ Signed$ music$ performance$ is$
experimental.$The$artist$statement$explains$how$it$is$an$expression$of$signed$music.$Example:$Tell! Your!
Story! at! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfZ8fVf6Ldc&list=UUWDxkkg2vNvH0MsAxp3Zf_Q! [Rosa$ Lee$
Timm].!
$
2.$$ An$ original$ performance$ created$ without$ lyrics$ (no$ signs)$ or$ created$ with$ lyrics$ (ASL/LSQ).$ Signed$ music$
performance$is$inspired$by$auditory$music$(Example:$Eyes$[Janis$Cripps]).$
$
Cinematography!and!Signed!Music:!!
Signed$Music$Performances$may$incorporate$cinematography$as$part$of$the$artistic$expression.$$$$$$
Example:$Experimental$Clip:$https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPHraTb36wc$[Pamela$Witcher]$–$
cinematography$peephole$frame$effect$used$to$create$spectator$perspective;$$
Example:$$Eyes:$https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnwJsFHFebg$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
[Janis$Cripps]$–$cinematography$nature$images$used$to$evoke$concepts$suggested$in$the$signed$music$
performance;$$
Example:$$Caterpillar:!http://dsdj.gallaudet.edu$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
[Ian$Sanborn]–$cinematography$speed$and$slow$motion$techniques$used).$$When$you$go$to$this$url,$it$will$
come$up$as$Deaf$Studies$Digital$Journal$Issue$4$Spring$2014$d$go$to$literature,$$view$more,$scroll$across$to$
Caterpillar,$Ian$Sanborn.$$$